The Hidden Benefits of NIS2
The deadline for NIS2 (directive (EU) 2022/2555) is coming up and for many new businesses affected it may seem like a daunting task but it’s a unique opportunity for businesses to increase their cybersecurity resistance. As well as gaining a lot of other less obvious benefits, such as competitive advantages, increased trust among customers and partners and business continuity.
What other advantages does NIS2 provide?
The NIS2 directive will come with its challenges and put pressure on affected businesses to act to comply with regulatory requirements. But these requirements provide more than just regulatory compliance, it also provides several other advantages for businesses:
Enhanced cyber security: An obvious one for sure, but the NIS2 directive ensures that organizations strengthen their cyber security measures. By adhering to the directive, businesses can better protect their networks and systems against cyber threats, reducing the risk of data breaches and unauthorized access.
Risk mitigation: Adhering to the directive will help identify vulnerabilities and potential risks withing an organizations infrastructure, and by addressing these risks proactively businesses can minimize the impact of security incidents and avoid financial losses.
Business continuity: The NIS2 directive encourages robust response planning. Having effective incident management procedures in place ensures that businesses can respond swiftly to disruptions, maintain essential services, and minimize downtime.
Competitive advantage: Adhering to the NIS2 directive demonstrates a commitment to cyber security and data protection, which may result in a competitive advantage by assuring customers, partners, and stakeholders of their security posture.
Trust and reputation: A strong security posture enhances trust among customers and partners. NIS2 compliance signals responsible data handling and protection, positively impacting a business’s reputation.
Collaboration and information sharing: The NIS2 directive encourages collaboration among organizations, sharing threat intelligence and best practices. Businesses benefit from collective knowledge and can adapt their security strategies accordingly.
The NIS2 compliance not only safeguards businesses against cyber threats but also fosters resilience, trust, and legal adherence in an increasingly interconnected digital landscape.
NIS2 is a shared responsibility
As mentioned in a previous post about Ensuring NIS2 compliance, there are several measures that can be implemented by both critical and non-critical entities (businesses) to enforce a baseline security level. But implementing and living by these measurements are a collective responsibility within an organization. Here are some reasons why that is:
Cyber security involves various aspects such as network infrastructure, data handling, access controls, and incident response. Every employee, from executives to frontline staff, plays a role in identifying vulnerabilities, reporting incidents, and adhering to security protocols.
All employees must know their roles during incidents, whether it’s reporting, containment, or communication. Regular training programs ensure that everyone understands their responsibilities, from protecting sensitive data to following security guidelines.
Organizations often rely on external vendors and partners. Ensuring NIS2 compliance extends to these relationships, emphasizing shared responsibility for secure practices.
Viewing security as everyone’s responsibility fosters a security-conscious culture. When employees actively participate in compliance efforts, it becomes ingrained in the organization’s DNA. NIS2 compliance is a team effort!
Work that keeps on giving
Many assume that after a one-time effort, complying with NIS2 requirements, their work is done but far from it. To continue fostering the security-conscious culture organizations need in today’s interconnected digital landscape, some work must be revisited to maintain compliance. Let’s list some of the key areas that need continued work:
Risk assessment and management:
Identify new threats, vulnerabilities, and risks.
Develop risk mitigation strategies and prioritize actions based on severity.
Policies and procedures:
Review and update security policies, procedures, and guidelines.
Ensure alignment with NIS2 requirements and industry best practices.
Communicate policies to employees and stakeholders.
Incident response planning:
Maintain an effective incident response plan.
Conduct regular tabletop exercises and simulations to test response capabilities.
Update contact lists, escalation procedures, and communication channels.
Security awareness training:
Continuously educate employees on security best practices.
Raise awareness about NIS2 compliance requirements.
Train staff on recognizing phishing attempts, social engineering, and other threats.
Access controls and authentication:
Regularly review user access rights and permissions.
Implement strong authentication mechanisms (e.g. multi-factor authentication).
Monitor access logs and audit trails.
Network and system hardening:
Regularly assess and update security configurations.
Apply patches and updates promptly.
Harden network devices and servers (CIS Benchmarks List).
Vendor and third-party risk management:
Evaluate the security practices of vendors and partners.
Ensure third parties comply with NIS2 requirements.
Regularly review contracts and agreements.
Regular audits and assessments:
Conduct internal audits to assess compliance.
Engage external auditors or consultants for independent assessments.
Address finding promptly.
Disaster recovery:
Review and update disaster recovery plans.
Test backup and recovery procedures.
Ensure critical services remain available during disruptions.
Data protection and privacy:
In summary, NIS2 complies is an ongoing effort that requires vigilance, adaptability, and a commitment to maintaining a secure and resilient digital environment.
Borgent can help you achieve NIS2 compliance and simplify the work going forward. With BIP 365 you structure and secure your data in one central location. Contact us to learn more.